Xavier joining 'Catholic 7' in Big East

Xavier University is leaving the Atlantic 10 Conference after 18 years to join nine other schools in the new-look Big East Conference, beginning July 1, the Cincinnati Business Courierreports.

The athletic conference is rooted by the so-called Catholic 7 schools that don't play the top level of college football and finalized a move away from other Big East schools earlier this month, taking the Big East name with them.

Xavier, along with new additions Butler University and Creighton University, will join DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Villanova.

The conference also announced Wednesday a television deal with Fox Sports.

Morning Call is compiled from news reports originated by other media organizations and Columbus Business First staff.